Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees planned earlier this year to offer a limited number of full-day kindergarten spots for a fee. That all changed when the board unanimously approved DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker's recommendation to offer it free of charge next year.

Walker said anticipated increases in government funding for the program and classroom space availability prompted the board to act on what it viewed as a risky but worthwhile opportunity.

He said while most schools don't have space to house full-day kindergarten students, DCSC is in prime position to offer it district-wide due to elementary realignment.

Walker said the state-allocated fund would be divided equally among all students enrolled in the program. That, he said, should at least allow the corporation to break even, if not profit from the venture.

"The parents have spoken," Walker stated, citing responses from 76 parents he surveyed. "Of those 76 parents, 75 said they would enroll their child in full-day kindergarten if it were free."

Walker said it was important to act quickly in order to provide educational opportunities to students.

"It is so important we get these children started off right. That is their whole future."

Board member Nick Cronk commented he was glad socio-economics did not play into funding. He said even numbers represent equality and he believed that was the right way to approach education.

At least one half-day session will still be offered next year according to Walker. Plans are for students to be bussed back to Hillcrest or home at the end of each school day.

The board approved Dan Dawson to be Delphi Middle School Dean of Students.

Resler explained the board made a mistake when it did not refill the assistant principal position when Russ Landis resigned two years ago.

"It was the wrong thing to do," Resler stated. "We need someone in that role to help administrative duties run smoothly."

Walker said resignations from recently-vacated positions the board does not plan to refill, including that of maintenance supervisor, would free up money for the dean's salary.

Dawson will also coach the varsity girls' basketball team.

The board held a brief discussion regarding the names of Hillcrest and Camden elementary schools.

It was decided the board would discuss the name change again at the next regular meeting.

At the request of interim athletic director Vince Burpo, the board approved an additional $11,199 to pay for power upgrades for new football field lights.

Burpo said wires in place they expected to use were not up to current code and must be replaced for the project to continue.

Renovations to the track and field facilities were approved. Part of a field owned by the school adjacent to Berto Field will be used to house event stations currently located on the opposite side of Armory Rd. The rest of the field will continue to be used for agricultural education.

"This was a wise thing to do for safety reasons," Resler commented after the meeting. "These changes can all take place without any extra cost to the corporation."

DCSC attorney Patrick Manahan read parts of a letter from Camden Town Attorney Anne Briggs that questioned the corporation's ownership of Camden school property. The letter allegedly stated Jackson and Liberty townships might control the property.

Manahan said he believed the school corporation took control of all properties when Camden joined DCSC around 1960. He cited Indiana school reorganization documents from the early 1960s and a similar 1989 court case in support of his findings.

The board allowed Manahan to send a response to Briggs that stated the corporation's stance.

The board approved $80,000 of additional appropriations for the special education fund. The money will be used to pay teacher salaries.

Paperwork received by Walker from the state this week made it possible for the corporation to spend the money.

Walker was granted permission by the board to request Title I funds from the federal government. Resler said requests for the funds typically are approved.

The board approved Walker's recommendation for a second Family and Consumer Science teacher.

Resler explained block scheduling has allowed students to take more elective and vocational courses.

A program designed to locate substitutes for teachers who must miss work was approved for $3,000. Hillcrest principal Bill Shidler stated he visited several schools to get their impressions of the program before he recommended the purchase.

Revisions and updates to the corporation's athletic handbook were approved. Parents of athletes should receive updated handbooks before their child's sport begins.

Athletic schedules and school calendar for 2008-09 were approved. Parents can expect to receive information pertinent to their child in a timely manner according to Resler.

An annual dairy and bread products bid advertisement for the cafeteria was approved.

Walker was given permission to approve field trips that take place the same day a board meeting is scheduled. Those trips would then be ratified at the meeting.

Walker informed the board funding would likely increase approximately 2.8 percent each of the next two academic years. He said the increase was modest but more than most rural schools received.

Claims and payroll in the amount of $1,337,046.26 were approved.

The board made plans to conduct athletic director interviews May 23.

Senior awards night will be May 25. Commencement will be May 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Moving day for elementary schools will be May 31.

The next regular board meeting will be June 11.

Resignations were approved for the following: Kay DeVos, middle school guidance counselor; Emily Brown, third grade teacher and pom coach; Gina Anderson, Title I aide at Hillcrest; John Eller, corporation maintenance director; Bill Gray, high school industrial technology department chair; and Pam Mansfield, middle school treasurer. Sandra Cripe, Hillcrest Title I aide, and Gloria Sterrett, high school custodian, were approved for retirement.

Classified staff employment approved were: Tracy Bradshaw, corporation substitute bus aide; Jessica Berger, high school first assistant junior varsity volleyball coach; John Gasser, high school assistant track coach; Brenda Morris, Hillcrest 12-month custodian; Tonya Miller, high school assistant soccer coach; Michael Lewis, high school varsity assistant basketball coach; Valerie Christner, high school dance instructor; Deb Siwinski, high school head cheerleading coach; Lindsey Kendall, high school assistant cheerleading coach; Neil Anderson, high school industrial technology department chair; Lorraine Mohler, middle school 12-month custodian; Mark Livingston, middle school nine-month custodian; Mike Berger, high school volunteer assistant varsity basketball coach; Charlie Harris, middle school gymnasium volunteer custodian; and Tonya Small, middle and high school In School Suspension coordinator.

Certified staff approved were: Jason Patterson, high school English teacher and head soccer coach; Arrika Reumler and Barb Broedel, high school family and consumer science teachers; Brandon Richie, high school science teacher and junior varsity boys' basketball coach; and Dan Dawson, middle school dean of students and high school head girls' basketball coach.

The board approved the following for summer employment: Hipolito (Polo) Ramisez and Paul Yerkes, power washers; Hannah Strasser, Sally Maxwell, Nadia Cediel and Delores Gill (supervisor), bus cleaners; Kyle Bender and Hali German, painters; Sara Strasser, Amanda James and Amber Spitznagle, Hillcrest helpers; and Brock Farrell and Jarrett Baird, outside painters.

Griffin Anderson, Lori Schwarzkopf and James Walker were approved as summer school staff for Elementary Jump Start. At the high school level, the following were approved as summer staff: Aaron Fezzy, Norma Carpenter and Alan McConnell, physical education; Randy German and Theresa Traver, health; Greg Smiley, government; Linda Tyner, English; Dan LePage, math; Ross Striebeck and Beth Theobald, SAE; Jay Dennison, band; Mike Atwood, math remediation; and Nancy Rucker, English remediation.